Satya Maripi
Ophthalmology as a career and speciality within the United Kingdom is highly competitive, with a limited number of spots per year across the country, the latest reported competition ratio exceeding a 10:1 ratio (1). With this in mind, it is important to develop skillsets early, especially as a junior doctor, in order to ensure you are able to develop both your surgical dexterity as well as CV as an aspiring applicant. One aspect that can facilitate this is attendance of ophthalmology courses, it accounts for a maximum possible 3 points out the 12 for the commitment to speciality section on the ophthalmology speciality scoring matrix (1 for simulation course, and 2 for discretionary) (2). As ophthalmology is quite a niche speciality, it can be difficult to find suitable courses, hence I have collated what I believe to the most impactful and applicable courses for the UK ophthalmology speciality application journey.
1) Introduction to Ophthalmic Surgery Course
This is by far the most well-known and popular Ophthalmology course, and is endorsed and ran by the Royal College of Ophthalmology. Due the nature of its popularity, it is important to plan well in advance and email the co-ordinator for the programme to be notified of when the course dates open up as it is common for all of the availability to be gone in less than 48 hours. The course itself is one day long and is held in the Royal College of Ophthalmology in London, the new course structure has put a greater focus on the practical skills by providing pre-reading material for the attendees prior to the course (3).
2) Moorfield’s Education Courses
Moorfield’s education in London hosts a website advertising a wide range of courses. Of particular note are the A&E clinical skills lab and the ophthalmic emergency study day.
The Moorfield’s A&E clinical skills lab is a half day course with a focus on assessment of possible eye emergencies and slit lamp examinations. The ophthalmic emergency day is a full day course and is a more in-depth version of the aforementioned course (4).
3) Foundation Course in Ophthalmology (FOCUS)
This is a full two-day course hosted in Edinburgh, the course content ranges from practical skills (clinical examinations, slit lamps) to key theoretical knowledge required by junior ophthalmologists (red eye, acute loss of vision). In addition, they host a segment at the end of the course as a question and answer for speciality applications (5).
4) Ophthalmology Summer School
This is a full 5-day course held at UCL, and is aimed at late year medical students and junior doctors. The course consists of a general global introduction to ophthalmology and is one of the most concise introductions to ophthalmology in the UK and is held by esteemed Consultant Ophthalmologists from Moorfield’s hospital who are specialists in their respective field. This course, due to its unique length, allows for a great opportunity to network and really practise skills required of a junior ophthalmologist (6).
5) Local Courses!
Finally, perhaps the most useful of all, are local courses held in your deanery that may not be advertised nationally. It is important to show initiative and ask around in your hospital/deanery’s medical education department and ophthalmology department. There are many times (especially at larger ophthalmology centres) courses held locally for ophthalmology trainee’s, asking the right individuals and showing commitment may allow opportunities to become involved/invited.
Of course, as with all courses, there is often a price involved. Below is a summary of the involved costs for the aforementioned courses with a summary:
| Course | Price | Length | Frequency |
| Introduction to Ophthalmology Surgery Course | £355 | 1 day, in person | Multiple dates approximately every 4 months |
| Moorfield’s A&E Clinical Skills Lab | £250 | Half a day, in person | 2-3 sessions a year |
| Moorfield’s Ophthalmic Emergency Day | £400 | 1 day, in person | 2-3 sessions a year |
| Foundation Course in Ophthalmology (FOCUS) | £450 | 2 days, in person | Once/year |
| Ophthalmology Summer school | £550 | 5 days, in person | Once/year |
References
(2) https://severndeanery.nhs.uk/recruitment/vacancies/show/oph-st1-24/evidence-folder-lib
(3) https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Introduction-To-Ophthalmic-Surgery-Course.pdf
(4) https://checkout.moorfields.nhs.uk/catalog?pagename=All-courses
Thank you, very useful for speciality applications!